ABSTRACT
These coral islands are truly fairy spots in the ocean. They rise but a few feet above the waters’ surface, and are covered with a luxuriant tropical vegetation. On one of these, which was not inhabited, the birds were so tame that they permitted themselves to be taken from the bushes and trees, and flew about our heads so near us that we could almost take them with our hands. They did not know enough to fear. The whole island was almost a paradise. (Gilman, 1899, p. 110)
The scientific corps went everywhere with the squadron except when it visited Antarctica. The commander of the expedition though a keen and skilful officer, had apparently
FIG. 67. James Dwight Dana
little respect for the worth of his scientists and when the expedition was ready to set out for Antarctica they were left behind in New Zealand.
